How much does it cost to set up a business in Dubai?
The short answer: a free zone licence starts from AED 4,888 with Biznexa, a mainland company costs more because it depends on your activity and office, and visas are added per person. Here is the full picture.
Open the cost calculator Pick a zone and the number of visas — get an instant estimate.
| Free zone | Emirate | Licence from | With 1+ visa from |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ajman NuVentures Centre (ANCFZ) | Ajman | AED 4,888 | AED 10,800 |
| SHAMS — Media licence | Sharjah | AED 5,760 | AED 13,175 |
| RAKEZ | Ras Al Khaimah | AED 6,000 | AED 12,000 |
| SHAMS — Standard licence | Sharjah | AED 6,885 | AED 14,300 |
| Masdar City Free Zone | Abu Dhabi | AED 7,000 | AED 16,200 |
| Dubai South Business Hub | Dubai | AED 12,500 | AED 20,350 |
| Meydan Free Zone | Dubai | AED 12,500 | AED 20,350 |
| Expo City Dubai Free Zone | Dubai | AED 12,520 | AED 17,570 |
Biznexa package prices in AED, including standard government fees. The final cost depends on your activity and the zone's current offers — we confirm one fixed number in writing before you pay.
What you pay for
- Trade licence — the yearly fee of the free zone or the Department of Economy and Tourism (mainland).
- Registration and approvals — name reservation, initial approval and, for some activities, approvals from other authorities.
- Office or flexi-desk — free zone packages include a desk option; mainland companies need an office lease (Ejari).
- Establishment card — the company's immigration file, needed before visas.
- Residence visas — per person: entry permit, medical test, Emirates ID and stamping.
- Annual renewal — the licence and the establishment card are renewed every year.
Free zone cost
The cheapest way to start. Prices above are complete Biznexa packages, from AED 4,888 for a licence and from AED 10,800 with a residence visa. See the cheapest free zones for the full ranking.
Mainland cost
A mainland company costs more than a free zone because the licence fee depends on your activity and you need a physical office lease. In return you can trade anywhere in the UAE and bid for government contracts. We quote a fixed price once we know your activity, office size and visa count.
Offshore cost
An offshore company is the lowest-maintenance option for holding assets or trading internationally, but it cannot trade inside the UAE or sponsor residence visas.
Ongoing costs to plan for
- Licence and establishment card renewal every year
- Visa renewals (every 2 years for most visas)
- Bookkeeping, and VAT and corporate tax filing — see tax and accounting